By Astrid Mendez — KRGV — May 17

Graduation season is underway and more than 1,100 students graduated from 51����.

Among them were a Los Fresnos mom and her two children.

‘Don’t wait for the tide just to dip both your feet in,’ that’s the message written across the graduation cap of Alexa Sanchez Martinez, but it’s a phrase that describes her family’s journey to the graduation stage.

“It was definitely hard. It was a lot of endless nights, I worked so I had to juggle that too, but honestly, this is the number one thing I feel most accomplished with,” Alexa said.

This isn’t Alexa’s high school graduation. It’s her graduation from TSC, where she received an Associate of Arts in General Studies, all while still attending Los Fresnos High School.

She wasn’t the only one in her family wearing a cap and gown. Her mother and brother, Hilda Martinez and Brandon Guzman, also graduated from TSC on the same day.

“There’s no one else I rather graduate with and seeing them finally going through that stepping stone with me right behind them, just copying their every move, honestly it just makes me really happy and I’m super proud of them,” Alexa said.

Alexa’s mom — Hilda — earned her Associate degree in Social Work, all while working full-time as an attendance and records clerk at Los Fresnos CISD.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Students in 51����’s HVAC program toured the TSC Recreation Center on April 14 for a firsthand look at the equipment that helps keep the facility operating, turning a campus visit into a lesson on real-world HVAC work.

The tour gave students an opportunity to see how the concepts they study in class apply in a working setting. Gerardo Mascorro, TSC HVAC supervisor, said the visit was meant to introduce students to another side of the trade and show them what the industry can offer.

“Hopefully they can [get] involved pretty soon because it’s the best way to get more earnings,” Mascorro said.

Federico Rodriguez, HVAC instructor at TSC, said the program offers both certificate and associate degree options while emphasizing the core skills students need to build on in the field.

“The HVAC program here, we have actually certificate and associate degree that we provide to students,” Rodriguez said. “We teach you the basics of refrigeration. We teach you the basics of electricity. Those are our two primary things that we emphasize throughout the program.”

Rodriguez said hands-on instruction continues to be one of the program’s defining features.

“What makes TSC different is that we have a lot of hands on,” he said. “We focus a lot on hands on, because that’s the most important way that students are going to learn.”

Charles Adams, an HVAC student at TSC, said the energy among students has helped push him to improve.

“Everybody’s interested. Everybody’s into it,” Adams said. “Everybody wants to grow… I love that feeling like everybody wants to get better and it makes me want to get better”

The April 14 visit to the Recreation Center gave students a chance to connect classroom instruction to working campus equipment while reinforcing the role HVAC systems play in keeping facilities running.

For students preparing to enter the field, the tour offered a closer look at the practical side of the trade and underscored the value of hands-on learning.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (April 18, 2026) — 51���� students took their studies beyond the classroom and onto the shoreline Saturday, participating in a beach cleanup and conservation tour as part of a Global Views field trip led by faculty from the division of arts and sciences.

Students enrolled in ENGL 1302: Composition II and GOVT 2305: Federal Government spent the day at South Padre Island, beginning with a hands-on beach cleanup at Edwin King Atwood Park. The effort focused on removing debris and promoting environmental stewardship along one of the region’s most visited coastal areas.

“We have two courses where we’re teaching students Composition 2 and Federal Government,” said Jonathan M. Baker, English instructor. “We examine the policies and practices as they relate to climate, energy and the environment. The students get to see how those practices work, like cleaning up the beach, all together.”

The field trip also included an educational visit to Sea Turtle, Inc., where students learned about marine conservation, rehabilitation efforts and the challenges facing endangered sea turtle populations. Through guided tours and discussions, participants explored how environmental policy, climate change and energy issues intersect with real-world conservation work.

“Yeah, I think it’s really important also because they can see as individuals that they can have an impact on the environment,” said Dr. Delina Barrera, government instructor. “It’s not just rhetoric — they’re being part of something and doing something about it.”

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — 51����’s Track & Field program reached a historic milestone in its inaugural season as freshman Indra Ibarra became the program’s first-ever national qualifier.

Ibarra punched her ticket to the 2026 NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships after posting a time of 18 minutes, 34.16 seconds in the 5,000-meter run on March 28 at the Charles Austin Classic hosted by Texas State University in San Marcos.

Her performance surpassed the national qualifying standard of 18:45.18.

The achievement marks a significant moment for a first-year program under head coach Basilio Mendoza, who has led the Scorpions through their debut season.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Indra and for our program,” Mendoza said. “To have a national qualifier in our first year sets the tone for what we are building at 51����.”

Ibarra’s race not only secured her place on the national stage but also established an early benchmark for the young program, which continues to grow and develop in its inaugural campaign.

With the national championships ahead, Ibarra will represent 51���� as the program’s first qualifier, highlighting a strong start and promising future for Scorpions Track & Field.

Following a strong and inspiring cross country season, 51���� is proud to announce the official schedule for its inaugural NJCAA Men’s & Women’s Track & Field team.

Building on the momentum and discipline established during cross country, Head Coach Basilio Mendoza will lead the Scorpions into a new era as the program expands into track & field competition for the 2026 season. With a foundation rooted in grit, resilience, and competitive excellence, the team is ready to make its mark on the track.

The 2026 schedule features competitive meets across Texas, providing student-athletes the opportunity to test themselves against strong NJCAA and university programs:

• March 20 – Texas Southern University Relays (Houston, TX)

• March 27 – Charles Austin Classic (San Marcos, TX)

• April 25 – Rice Twilight Meet (Houston, TX)

As TSC continues to grow its athletic offerings, the launch of track & field reflects the college’s commitment to expanding opportunities for student-athletes both academically and competitively.

The message for the season is clear: Chase the mark. Own the moment.

The Scorpions are ready.

51���� celebrated the signing of Celeste Martinez to the TSC Women’s Soccer team at IDEA Robindale College Preparatory in Brownsville, Texas, on February 17, 2026. Surrounded by family, friends, coaches, and classmates, Celeste achieved a major milestone as she officially committed to continue her academic and athletic career as a Scorpion.

As part of its Centennial Celebration, 51���� (TSC) will host a special Lotería event honoring 100 years of education, culture, and community in the Rio Grande Valley. This festive gathering reflects TSC’s longstanding commitment to celebrating regional traditions while bringing people together in meaningful and engaging ways.

The TSC Lotería event will take place on Wednesday, February 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Jacob Brown Auditorium, located at 600 International Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. Community members, alumni, students, and supporters are invited to join in this vibrant cultural experience.

Participants will have the opportunity to play traditional Lotería during the three-hour celebration. Card pricing is available in multiple options: two cards for $10, four cards for $15, or six cards for $20, allowing guests to choose their level of participation and fun.

Rooted in a beloved game that holds deep cultural significance across generations, the Centennial Lotería celebration highlights 51����’s dedication to honoring heritage while fostering community connection. As TSC marks 100 years of service, this event offers a joyful opportunity to gather, play, and celebrate the College’s enduring impact in South Texas.

Community members are encouraged to attend and take part in this lively Centennial tradition at 51����.